Alstroemeria plant named Yellow King

ABSTRACT

A new variety of alstroemeria plant characterized by the brilliant yellow color of its unusual and prolifically produced blooms, each of which is presented on a long, strong peduncle; and by the relatively long-lasting quality of its flowers both on the plant and as cut flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This new variety of alstroemeria originated as a seedling resulting frombreeding efforts carried on by me at Aalsmeer, Holland, since 1971 withthe object of obtaining a wider color range and better wintertimeproduction. This seedling resulted from my crossing Aur. 4×1198-1,unnamed varieties maintained by me for breeding purposes, and wasselected for propagation and trial because of its brilliant yellow colorand the relatively large size of its flowers. This plant was asexuallyreproduced by me at Aalsmeer, Holland; and subsequently, this plant waspropagated through successive generations by dividing root stocks. Thispropagation demonstrated that the distinctive characteristics of the newplant hold true from generation to generation and appear to be firmlyfixed. Propagation of this plant is now being carried on by root stockdivision at Aalsmeer, Holland.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

My new variety of alstroemeria is illustrated by the accompanying fullcolor photographic drawing, which shows the form and colorcharacteristics of the flowers as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain by conventional professional photographic proceduresand processes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of this new variety ofalstroemeria with color designations according to The R.H.S. ColourChart published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage: Aur. 4×1198-1, unnamed varieties maintained for breedingpurposes.

Classification:

Botanic.--Alstroemeria.

Commercial.--Alstroemeria for cut flower production.

Form: Herbaceous, sturdy and upright.

Height.--About 1.5 to 2.0 meters at maturity.

Growth: Vigorous.

Root stock: Tuberous, producing 40 or more buds during the year fromwhich flower stalks grow in various stages of development during thecourse of the year.

Branching: Each flower stalk branches at the top as an umbel to provide4 to 8 flower bearing raceme stems which grow outward from about 12 cm.as buds and flowers develop.

Foliage: Quantity -- abundant with 30 to 40 leaves.

Form of leaf.--Long and narrow with acuminate apex.

Texture.--Soft.

Color.--Dark green.

THE BUD

Form: Pear shaped at the beginning, becoming long pointed just beforeopening.

Size: About 2.5 cm. long at opening.

Opening rate: The bud opens slowly.

Peduncle: Strong.

THE FLOWER

Blooming habit: Recurrent, early Spring, midseason and Fall, withmore-or-less continuous, profuse production of flowers during eachblooming season.

Size: Medium.

Diameter.--About 5.5 cm.

Depth.--About 4.5 cm.

Shape: Generally funnel-like.

Borne: Singly on a long peduncle.

Petalage: Number of petals -- 6.

Arrangement.--2 concentric circles of 3 each.

Form.--Wide elliptic, slightly serrated at the top.

Texture.--Soft.

Appearance.--Shiny.

Color.--Outer petals -- 17B plus 14A-B. Inner petals -- 14A plus 17B.Reverse side of petals -- 17B-C.

Effect of weather: Hot weather causes paler color.

Persistence: The flowers hang on and dry.

Lasting quality:

On the plant.--14 days for each flower.

As a cut flower.--9 days for each flower.

Discoloration: The flower color darkens gradually as the flower ages.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--Six.

Arrangement.--One opposite each petal.

Anthers.--Length -- about 8 mm.

Pistils: Only one.

Style.--about 3.5 cm. long.

This new variety of alstroemeria plant is distinguished by the brightyellow color of its blooms and the broken lines of dark brownpencil-stripe spots which extend lengthwise of the inner, nectar-bearingpetals. This plant is also distinguished by its vigorous growth and itscontinuous production of flowers borne on strong, upright, raceme stemswhich in simple umbel arrangement at the end of each stalk.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of alstroemeria plantsubstantially as herein shown and described, characterized by thedistinctive darkish yellow overall coloring of its flower petals, itssubstantially continuous production of flowers, and the long-lastingquality of the flowers both on the stem and as cut flowers.